Established in 1994 in Denver, Great Divide is known for its solid year-round stable and for experimenting with original recipes. Pushing boundaries has paid off in some impressive hardware from the major beer festivals. Among the brewery’s best selections are the Claymore Scotch Ale, Wild Raspberry Ale and Fresh Hop Pale Ale. Few breweries exceed at such a wide range of styles.

About the beer

Before being aged or augmented, Great Divide’s Yeti is an imperial stout with strong roast flavors and noticeable bitterness. It’s a fantastic example of the style in its purest form.

Yet to Great Divide, a great beer is often just a blank canvas. Brewers have made a version of Yeti with Belgian yeast and one aged in oak. The latest — Espresso Oak Aged Yeti — is an audacious incarnation that’s worth every penny.

This mysterious beast pours night black and opaque, with a head as thick and menacing as oil sands. An infusion of espresso gives the beer an unmistakable smell and taste of strong coffee, while aging it on oak chips imparts the dry mouthfeel of Scotch. Both enhancements add to the foundation without creating a completely different beer.